Romuald et Juliette (1989)

Juliette Bonaventure, a woman from the French Caribbean, raises her five children alone in a public housing estate and earns her living as a cleaner in the building that houses Blanlait, a dairy products company. One day, by chance, she discovers that some of the employees of Romuald Blindet—the CEO of Blanlait—are involved in a shady stock-market scheme that has led to the poisoning of the yogurts. She tells Romuald, who at first does not take the accusations of a “mere cleaning lady” seriously, especially since she also lets him know that his own wife is cheating on him—without reproaching him for having an affair with his secretary himself. Having discovered the truth too late, Romuald finds himself trapped. Hounded by the Financial Brigade and trusting no one, he asks Juliette for help, asking her to put him up while he proves his innocence. Juliette agrees and silently watches Romuald make himself at home, without lifting a finger to help her with her daily chores. Finally cleared of all charges, he leaves the apartment, leaving a few bills on the table. A few days later, while Romuald is in the United States on business, Juliette in turn calls on him to help get her eldest son out of prison; he has been implicated in drug trafficking. But while the CEO is away, his new secretary, who is stupid and racist, deliberately fails to pass on the message. When Romuald returns, it is time for revelations: the identity of his wife's lover, his secretary's petty stupidity, and, above all, his love for Juliette. He asks her to marry him, but she turns him down, telling him exactly what she thinks of him. Nevertheless, Romuald cleverly wins the affection and sympathy of Juliette's children, and she eventually gives in. It all ends at city hall, before an astonished crowd witnessing the union of two people who, on the face of it, had everything separating them. A few days later, Juliette moves into the house Romuald has bought for her—a pretty little house with a garden and a swing. As they stand downstairs in the building, Juliette drops a bag, and a baby romper falls out. When Romuald asks her what it is, Juliette admits that she is expecting his baby and adds with a laugh, “We'll call him Caramel.”